AMPEGON ANTENNA SYSTEMS RDA

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

RIGID DIPOLE ANTENNA

STRUCTURAL CONCEPT

The Ampegon Rigid Dipole Technology combines design principles as implemented in rotatable shortwave antenna systems with all the advantages of curtain antennas. The resulting integrated system consists of folded rigid dipoles of stainless steel and a selfsupporting structure with central shaft.

The radiating elements of the antenna are integrated into the structure such that no insulation is needed in any structural parts. The rigid broadband folded dipoles are directly attached to the steel structure, providing in addition a full static grounding of the antenna itself. This also provides for additional safety with respect to lightning impact, thunderstorms, typhoons or hurricanes.

The RF feedlines are directly accessible from catwalks on the crossarms of the steel structure.

SYSTEM MAINTAINABILITY

The components of the rigid dipole antenna are easily accessible. The system maintainability is greatly simplified due to the fact that the antenna has no moving parts, like halyards, steel ropes, counterweights etc.

The RF components themselves are quite robust, easy to maintain and highly reliable. Therefore it is evident that the system has a very high availability with extraordinarily long MTBF [Mean Time Between Failure] and very short MTTR [Mean Time To Repair].

COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN

The Rigid Dipole Antenna has a remarkably small footprint and allows installation even on smallest estates. There is no need of extensive and complex guy ropes including insulations and foundations.

The special design of these antenna systems ensures that the installation by mobile crane can be accomplished in amazingly short time. As economists know, the least expensive solution is not always the most cost effective one. An investment in radio broadcasting equipment is cost effective when

ease of operation

performance

reliability

maintainability and

expected life time

all add up to make an attractive package.

The Ampegon rigid dipole antenna system is an example of leading antenna technology designed to meet exactly such cost of ownership requirements.

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Back-to-back arrangement of a low band and a high band curtain antenna, each with its own reflector screen

High antenna gain up to 24 dBi depending on configuration

Perfect DC grounding:

Minimized number of insulators [spacer, hanger, supports]

Electro-static grounding of entire structure

Optimum lightning protection

Lowest possible life cycle cost, optimized maintainability

Optimized RF performance

Small footprint

Installation with shortest time, minimum of required foundations

Reliable operation even under worst environmental conditions

DRM compatibility

OPTIMIZED RADIATION CHARACTERISTICS FOR DRM

A leading European broadcaster recently selected the Ampegon Rigid Dipole System to implement the broadcast of regular DRM shortwave programs on 6095 kHz. Since they intend to broadcast on one frequency only, Ampegon proposed the AHR1/1/h model.

The AHR 1/1/0.2 antenna is specifically shaped to achieve an optimized radiation characteristic with regard to 6095 kHz DRM coverage of Germany.

Ampegon customizes rigid dipole solutions to fit specific broadcaster needs. Important design criteria, such as number of dipoles and the layout of the antenna feeding, depend on the desired coverage range and specific radiation characteristics as well as the required beam slewing performance and frequency range.

View of the dipole

Dipole feed point

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Antenna Type

Range (in km)

Frequency Range

Radiation Pattern

Typical Gain (dBi)

Up to 1300

1000 to 4000

2000 to 6000

3000 to 8000

AHR 1/1/h(Rigid Dipole Antenna)

X

single specified frequency

directional

12 - 13

The height (h) is according specific performance requirements.The stated range is assuming single-hop transmission and can be seen as a rough guideline for design purposes. In any case the range is dependent on specific ionospheric propagation conditions.